Crime & Safety

Belmont Fire District Acquires New $1.2 Million Fire Truck

The Belmont Fire District will get a new fire truck, but what does it mean for San Carlos?

The Belmont Fire District is the owner of a brand new $1.2 million fire truck to be delivered by the end of the month, officials announced at a recent fire board meeting in San Carlos.

 The new ladder truck will replace the current 21-year-old truck the district looks to sell, estimating its worth at $15-20,000.

 “It served us well. We’ve had our issues but it’s been a reliable vehicle,” said Warren Lieberman.

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 Belmont’s ownership of the truck is part of the two cities agreement to divvy up department assets, according to city records. The truck was purchased with the help of a $750,000 federal grant.

 And while Belmont will be the owner of he truck, the truck – which has been used about a dozen times per year In San Carlos, according to TriData, a fire service consultant firm hired by San Carlos – will be shared with it’s neighboring city San Carlos.

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 Whether the truck is a valuable asset has been the center of some debate, as the truck does not have water-pumping capabilities. The aerial truck does have the ability to ventilate roofs of burning buildings, said one firefighter who asked not to be named.

In January of 2010, a San Carlos woman died in a fire when a ladder truck reached the blaze in time but could not douse the flames until a water-pumping engine arrived. TriData recommended San Carlos use a quint instead, a vehicle with ladder and water-pumping abilities.

 Despite its potential shortcomings, firefighters believe the truck has value.

 “When a building is burning, the heat rises, and a ladder truck is essential for cutting a hole in the roof with a motorized saw,” said a firefighter out of Station 13 who asked not to be named. “It allows heat to exit, and prevents the building from collapsing.“


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